All about herbal supplements

In 1994, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act was passed. This gave the supplement industry permission to regulate itself.
Even with three hundred and fifty reports of moderate or adverse events, the companies who create the products remain unregulated.
The Food and Drug Administration believes that there are many medical events go unreported, and even estimates the number of adverse effects because of dietary supplements up to fifty thousand individuals (Kabat, 2012).
When an individual decides to add dietary supplements into their diet, it’s important that they contact their doctor before starting anything new.

It’s also important that the individual does their research on the product before use, and then decide if the product is right for them.
Dietary supplements usually add small print to the label of the product “The label claims have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Consult your healthcare professionals before taking any dietary supplements” (Stoler, 2012)
The use of dietary supplements vary from person to person and although individuals may experience adverse effects, those who are healthy may benefit from using dietary supplements to aid in their sports.

Those who use dietary supplements should be healthy, and use the supplements as directed. If an individual is not healthy, the risks of intoxication are very high.
Dietary supplements are currently unregulated, so it’s important that those who choose to use dietary supplements do research on the product of their choice.


Resources:

• Allen, J. M. (2004). Herbal Supplements Can Be Harmful. In A. Ojeda (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints. Health. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Skeptical Inquirer, 2001, January, 25, 36) Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.clcc.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/EJ3010141247/OVIC?u=22506&xid=3b74187d
• Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. (n.d.). Consumers - Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from https://www.fda.gov/food/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm109760.htm
• Council for Responsible Nutrition. (2003). Performance-Enhancing Dietary Supplements Are Safe. In J. Haley (Ed.), At Issue. Performance-Enhancing Drugs. San Diego: Greenhaven Press. (Reprinted from Sports Supplements: Common Sense and Responsible Regulation, www.crnusa.org, 2001, May 16) Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.clcc.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/EJ3010285216/OVIC?u=22506&xid=f85e5176
• Kabat, G. (2012, November 26). Herbal Medicines Must Be Safe Because They’re Natural? So Are Strychnine, Arsenic, and Cyanide. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/11/herbal_supplement_dangers_fda_does_not_regulate_supplements_and_they_can.html
• Office of Dietary Supplements - Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. (n.d.). Retrieved May 15, 2017, from https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.aspx
• Stoler, F. (2012, March 23). The skinny on FDA regulation of dietary supplements. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/03/23/skinny-on-fda-regulation-dietary-supplements.html
• Williams, M. H. (2004, December 31). Dietary Supplements and Sports Performance: Introduction and Vitamins. Retrieved May 15, 2017, from https://jissn.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1550-2783-1-2-1